Achilles tendonitis – the Achilles tendon is located on the back portion of the foot just above the heel, and tendonitis often happens through overuse and inflammation. You may experience mild pain after exercise that gradually gets worse. Swelling, stiffness and more tenderness when you wake up in the morning is also common, but this can improve with light exercise.

Rupture or tear of Achilles tendon – your Achilles tendon can tear – partially or completely – if you overstretch it. You can sometimes hear a snap or crack when this happens. Signs of an Achilles tear include pain and swelling near your heel, and you may not be able to bend your foot downwards or walk normally.

Stress fractures – these are more common in the lower limbs, as they bear more of your body weight. For example, the repeated impact of jumping or running on hard surfaces eventually stresses and cracks the bone.

How are sports injuries treated?

There are many things you can do to help prevent sports injuries. Here are some of the most effective techniques2:

Stretch properly

Warm up thoroughly, with stretches and movements that prepare your joints for exercise.

Drink plenty of fluids, and if you can, avoid exercising in the hottest part of the day (between 11am and 3pm).

Cool down after sport, with gentle but sustained stretches.

Allow plenty of recovery time between sessions.

Use the right equipment

Wear the right footwear for your sport, like good training shoes, hiking boots, and so on.

Tape or strap vulnerable joints to protect them.

Use appropriate safety equipment for team sports, such as mouth guards, helmets and pads.

Understand your personal fitness levels

Try to maintain a good level of overall fitness, so your body is better prepared for sport.

Cross-train with other sports to maximise your overall fitness and muscle strength.

What causes knee pain?

What causes knee pain?

Usually, knee pain and loss of mobility is caused by the joint's cartilage lining wearing away. When this happens, the bones rub directly against each other, causing pain and swelling. One of the most common causes is osteoarthritis (OA), which often happens following trauma or direct injury to the knee. Without cartilage, there’s no ‘shock absorber’ between the bones in the joint, so stress builds up in the bones and causes pain and discomfort.

How does arthritis affect the knee?

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of joint disorders, and is a major cause of disability and chronic pain in Australia, affecting around 3.85 million people 1. And as the average age rises, the number of people with arthritis is also growing. In fact, leading researcher Access Economics suggests 7 million Australians will suffer some form of arthritis by 2050, based on current trends2.

The causes of knee pain include:

Next Steps

Information displayed on this site is intended for Australian residents only and is not designed to replace the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional. If you are experiencing joint pain, see your doctor. There are a number of treatment options that he/she may recommend ( other than joint replacement). Your doctor will advise you whether joint replacement is suitable for your condition.